Today’s scripture: Mark 3:7-19 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Melody Merida):
When I first read this passage of Scripture I decided to write some scholarly comments on the theme of secrecy found here and throughout the Gospel. Then as I read what I had written, I thought “What difference does this make in my everyday life?” I couldn’t come up with a good answer so I went back to the drawing board. I read the passage again and again, and something else stood out to me. It’s not overt but it struck me as deeply profound.
First, I’ll say this: the gospel of Mark is full of information that points toward Jesus as Messiah. There are many stories told that reveal the authority and power of Jesus. The author’s intention is to show Jesus as the hero of the story who will have his victory over death as the servant king.
But in this passage, I don’t just see the strength of Jesus; I see the humanity of Jesus. He asked his disciples to have a boat ready for him because he was worried the crowds might crush him. He had cured so many that people were pressing in on him to touch him and be made well themselves. Jesus was feeling intense pressure and he didn’t want to be crushed by it.
Now, I’ve never felt the type of literal crushing pressure Jesus felt that day, but I do feel intense pressure in my everyday life. There is never enough time, enough energy, or enough wisdom to enable me to do the things I need and want to do. Sometimes I wish I had a little boat I could climb in to sail away from the relentless press of life; to escape the expectations of others and just be able to float away. Have you ever felt like that?
Well, the exciting thing to me is that Jesus did too! Jesus, in all of his power and might, felt like he wanted to escape and get away from it all. So I guess that means that I’m not a wimp if I can’t always handle all the demands of life. It simply means that I’m human, like Jesus was. And I don’t have to beat myself up because I can’t juggle all the balls at once without an occasional drop. Oh, what a relief!
The next time you need to get into a boat and sail away, metaphorically speaking, remember that the Messiah, the Son of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords had to do the same. Give yourself permission to be human.
Thought for the day: Jesus, thank you for showing us an example of your humanity in which we can see our kinship to you. Show me how to sail away with you, so as to avoid the crush. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.